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[bigletter]It might have just been a parable, but the story of the ten virgins resonates well with the events of today. As the world gets darker and darker each day, we need to power our lamps correctly.[/bigletter]
What can we learn from the wisdom of the first five and the foolishness of the other five virgins? Foolishness poses great danger, may we be wise! Let’s look at 10 wisdom tips from the Ten Virgins.
If you must carry the lamp that burns bright in these last days, you need to be a virgin. What does this mean? You need to have a relationship with the Lord. He is the one that gives the lamps. Are you saved? Does God know you? Do you know Him? These are questions you must be able to answer satisfactorily. Keep your relationship with God tight. Without that, carrying a lamp is pointless.
The parable could have just been about one wise and one foolish virgin! No, there were 10 of them. There is a company you need to be in, that will boost your relationship with the Lord (Proverbs 13:20). You need to have certain companions that fuel your flame (Proverbs 27:17). Don’t be a lone ranger. Virgins that will make it to the end understand the power of right fellowship (Hebrews 10:25).
You must value your lamp. The moment one begins to see no need for the lamp, the temptation to drop it sets in. Lamps are meant to be carried so that they illuminate and give light. A lamp that is just put on the table will burn out without its owner knowing.
If a lamp is carried and just put inside a handbag, or inside a beautiful case, it is useless! It will soon burn out. The lamp needs to be used for the purpose it was made. If you use your lamp, you will know when you are running low on oil!
Bad oil /fuel or gas will produce a smoky lamp. Always insist on the authentic oil of the Holy Spirit in your lamp, or else it may get smoky and consequently choky. A lot of words fly around here and there. A great lamp with great flame comes out of intentional filling of the lamp with the undiluted word of God.
Free space on your calendar when you are in the secret place with God, just filling your lamp. Take time on your own to seek the face of the Lord (Habakuk 2:1). Make it a point of duty to spend quality time in Bible study and in prayers (Jer 15:16). It’s foolish to assume that messages that fly in here and there would be enough for sustenance. Make extra personal efforts, go the extra mile (Romans 12:2)
The wick or the burner needs to be trimmed. For the flame to burn bright, the lamps need to be clean as a dirty lamp will only produce smoky flames (John 17:17). Wisdom instructs! This again comes from intentionally setting times for personal retreats, fasting and prayer just praying Lord, please clean up my lamp. Are there ways that things have crawled into my lamps that need not be there, Lord please purge me (2 Timothy 3:16)
It’s given for the purpose of being able to stay awake and alert for the coming of the Master. We must not make a god out of the lamp nor must it be turned into a merchandise. It’s an instrument of preparedness.
Our lamps are given to us to keep us from stumbling in a very dark world. Do we have tendencies to make decisions or walk in some ways without checking with the Lord first? (Joshua 1:8, Psalms 119:105)
The same lamps were to burn for as long as it took for the bridegroom to return. Even when the bridegroom delayed, the same lamps were not outdated. Wise virgins stick to the word of God, even in the place of seemingly more logical, trendier and modern epistles. (Proverbs 4:18 , John 1:16, Colossians 2:8)
Give me oil in my heart, keep me burning, keep me burning till the break of day.
Olubunmi Victoria Akinpelu
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